Patents Assigned to Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6639007
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes a single S-EB-S block copolymer having at least about 15 weight percent of styrene end blocks, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the styrene end blocks is at least about 7,000 Daltons and the weight average molecular weight of ethylene-butylene midblocks is at least about 60,000 Daltons, and a plasticizer in an amount sufficient to provide tactility in products made from the composition. To prepare articles such as medical film protective devices, the elastomeric composition is dissolved in a sufficient amount of a solvent to permit dip forming. A form having the shape of the desired product is dipped into the solution to build up a film of the elastomeric composition on the form. The dip-formed elastomeric films are free of pinholes and resistant to oxidative and ozone attack. The films are particularly suitable for use in products such as examination, surgical, and industrial gloves and condoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 6414083
    Abstract: A dispersion has particles dispersed in a continuous aqueous dispersion medium. The particles, preferably no more than about 2 micrometers in size, are formed of a mixture of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) block copolymer having end blocks each with a weight average molecular weight of more than about 15,000 Daltons and an oil such as a mineral oil. The dispersion medium is a mixture of water and a surfactant. Articles are prepared by dipping a form into the dispersion and withdrawing the form to leave a film of the dispersion on the form. The water is evaporated from the film, leaving a coherent extensible film on the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 6288159
    Abstract: A dispersion has particles dispersed in a continuous aqueous dispersion medium. The particles, preferably no more than about 2 micrometers in size, are formed of a mixture of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) block copolymer having end blocks each with a weight average molecular weight of more than about 15,000 Daltons and an oil such as a mineral oil. The dispersion medium is a mixture of water and a surfactant. Articles are prepared by dipping a form into the dispersion and withdrawing the form to leave a film of the dispersion on the form. The water is evaporated from the film, leaving a coherent extensible film on the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 5900452
    Abstract: An aqueous dispersion has particles dispersed in a continuous dispersion medium. The particles, preferably no more than about 2 micrometers in size, are formed of a mixture of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) block copolymer having end blocks each with a weight average molecular weight of more than about 15,000 Daltons and an oil such as a mineral oil. The dispersion medium is a mixture of water and a surfactant. Articles are prepared by dipping a form into the dispersion and withdrawing the form to leave a film of the dispersion on the form. The water is evaporated from the film, leaving a coherent extensible film on the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 5792531
    Abstract: An elastomeric article such as a glove includes a substrate body made of an styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and a donning layer overlying at least one side of the substrate body. The donning layer is formed of a chlorinated styrene-isoprene, preferably having a polystyrene block content of from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of the total copolymer weight and an end block polystyrene molecular weight of at least about 5,000. Optionally, a surfactant-containing layer may be present over the donning layer to further improve the donning characteristics. The article is preferably prepared by dip forming the article from an styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, coating the article with a solution of the styrene-isoprene block copolymer, removing the solvent, and chlorinating the styrene-isoprene block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kermit R. Littleton, Garth Brown, Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 5407715
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition is formed of at least two, and preferably three, S-EB-S elastomeric triblock copolymers having different solution viscosity/copolymer concentration relationships, and a sufficient amount of a mineral oil plasticizer to achieve excellent tactility with acceptable strength. To prepare articles such as medical film protective devices, the elastomeric composition is dissolved in a sufficient amount of a solvent to permit dip forming. A form having the shape of the desired product is dipped into the solution to build up a film of the elastomeric composition on the form. The dip-formed elastomeric films are free of pinholes and resistant to oxidative and ozone attack. The films are particularly suitable for use in products such as gloves, condoms, external catheters, catheter balloons, cuffs, dilatation balloons, instrument covers, and drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Buddenhagen, Norman R. Legge, Gunter Zscheuschler
  • Patent number: 5112900
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition is formed of at least two, and preferably three, S-EB-S elastomeric triblock copolymers having different solution viscosity/copolymer concentration relationships, and a sufficient amount of a mineral oil plasticizer to achieve excellent tactility with acceptable strength. To prepare articles such as medical film protective devices, the elastomeric composition is dissolved in a sufficient amount of a solvent to permit dip forming. A form having the shape of the desired product is dipped into the solution to build up a film of the elastomeric composition on the form. The dip-formed elastomeric films are free of pinholes and resistant to oxidative and ozone attack. The films are particularly suitable for use in products such as examination, surgical, and industrial gloves and condoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Tactyl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Buddenhagen, Norman R. Legge, Gunter Zscheuschler